Worried I'm getting ripped off by my riding instructor?

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Twig

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I absolutely love my riding instructor. He's taught me so much over the past year but lately almost every time he comes late (at least 15 minutes, some times half an hour) and then leaves early.. On many occasions he left half an hour early and I'm starting to feel annoyed/upset. I know I should say something but I'm not really sure what. One day he'd left half an hour early and I asked if I was paying him for the 1 hour (the actual time he stayed) but he said no it was 1 hour and a half.. but it definitely was not..

I don't really want to find a new instructor as we don't have many in our area and he's taught me so much. But at the same time I'm feeling really ripped off.
 
Why would you have a lesson for an hour and a half? most I have is 45 minutes and I confirm by text when booking y saying I want half hour or 45 minutes, next time he tries to charge you for longer just say sorry but you didn't get here until and say the time and just pay him from then.
 
Don't put up with this sort of nonsense .
If you book forty five minutes expect that to be the time he's working .
While I would be flexible with someone who is a little late I would check you get what your paying for and be up front it he's taking a lend .
Now my sessions do sometimes end sharp if the horse has worked hard and well and it's a good moment to stop but I don't feel this what your thinking about .
When things get to cosy a lack of respect can creep in and you as the client need to get it back on track .
I know you say you like him but honestly you can move on if he won't behave professionally I would move on .
 
Thanks for the reply! I think you're right, I really shouldn't put up with it..
I don't mind him being late, I just don't like when he's late half an hour but then leaves on time so I end up paying for the half an hour that he wasn't even there for..
Am I better just to mention it and say I haven't had the full time?
 
90 aud seems expensive, next time he comes look at your watch in front of him when you start the lesson and if he ends the lesson early tell him you at only paying for the time you have had. He is taking the micky and you need to stand up for yourself. I would imagine that you are not the only client he has tried ths with and it reeks of dishonesty.

. I had a bit of the same issue a few years ago when my trainer would spend so long chatting that the lessons were starting to get shorter each week and that is what I did then found another trainer.
 
Twig said:
I absolutely love my riding instructor. He's taught me so much over the past year but lately almost every time he comes late (at least 15 minutes, some times half an hour) and then leaves early.. On many occasions he left half an hour early and I'm starting to feel annoyed/upset. I know I should say something but I'm not really sure what. One day he'd left half an hour early and I asked if I was paying him for the 1 hour (the actual time he stayed) but he said no it was 1 hour and a half.. but it definitely was not..

I don't really want to find a new instructor as we don't have many in our area and he's taught me so much. But at the same time I'm feeling really ripped off.
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Don't ask him if you're paying for the hour, it gives him the opportunity to say no 1 1/2hrs, like he did. You knew it was only an hour he'd been there so just say "right then that's one hour we've had, here's your money, thanks, see you next week". He's taking the pee, he knows he's taking the pee, there's no way he's going to turn round and say you owe 1 1/2hrs, and if he does you can ask why when he's only been there an hour (which he won't have an answer for).
 
That's ridiculous.

Our trainer charges for 45 minutes. Sometimes we only actually do 30, because the horse has worked hard and done well. Other times, it's an hour because we're working on something specific and close to a breakthrough. I pay the same every time and it all works out overall.
 
smja said:
Our trainer charges for 45 minutes. Sometimes we only actually do 30, because the horse has worked hard and done well. Other times, it's an hour because we're working on something specific and close to a breakthrough. I pay the same every time and it all works out overall.
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Same. Well, I reckon we probably do more than 30 mins on a good day but yes, it all evens out. I don't mind that in the least :) But does sound like the OP is getting a rough deal.
 
I think most instructors only do 45mins in the school as the horse and you get tired, its also harder for you both to concentrate.
If you really don't want to change how about asking for a lesson plan and work towards a set objective and only book an hour. Have the horse tacked up and warmed up when he arrives, so he starts as soon as he arrives.
I think also you are being a bit too kind, say you have another appointment so if he later than 15 mins you will have to cancel the lesson as you have to go. At the moment he is getting $90 for **** all.
 
Are you also paying for his travel time though? If not - as other posters have said definitely. But some trainers charge travel time.
 
Shay said:
Are you also paying for his travel time though? If not - as other posters have said definitely. But some trainers charge travel time.
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Good point. Perhaps she is and the instructor hasn't made this clear. It would also explain a 90 min lesson - 60 min lesson, 30 min travel time.

OP, where are you? $90 is the going rate for a 30 min lesson in Sydney, but I gather you are somewhere more regional.
 
Echo whats said about being ready and warmed up... it may be that he's charging you for time waiting for you to tack up, that said if he's THAT late I can understand not wanting to warm up for him and then have to wait half an hour (especially if you are having an hour and a half!)

Have a shorter sharper lesson - its harder for him to argue that you should pay for 45 mins if you only had 15 than 1.5hrs when you had an hour.

But make sure he sticks to it, also make sure you are ready to work and maybe cut back on the chit chat (something i personally had to really work at)

Let us know how it works out.
 
Counterpoint said:
Have a shorter sharper lesson - its harder for him to argue that you should pay for 45 mins if you only had 15 than 1.5hrs when you had an hour.
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Not sure many people would want to travel out to teach a client for 15 minutes :lol: then he'd definitely be within his rights to charge travel.
 
milliepops said:
Not sure many people would want to travel out to teach a client for 15 minutes :lol: then he'd definitely be within his rights to charge travel.
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I mean if you booked 45 mins, but he was 30 mins late (as he has been) then left on time you'd only get 15 mins, Its a bit more obvious that he's short changing you.

Travel costs are what they are and may be why the OP has an hour and a half, and are fair enough to pay if the instructor does turn up. Unless he's SO late he immediately leaves again :D
 
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